5 Names for the Meal that Jesus Gave us.
“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying,’ This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’In the same way, after the supper [Jesus] took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.’”
– Luke 22:19-20 (ESV)
In the previous passage (22:7-13), Jesus sends Peter and John to prepare the room he had already acquired. This detail offers us the reminder that Jesus is the host of the Passover meal, that he has taken the preparation and initiative to prepare a place for his followers.
As Luke tells of the earthly ministry of Jesus, he is intentional in highlighting meals. In fact, this is the seventh of ten meal accounts. Luke is all about meals. Jesus is on his way to a meal, eating a meal, or leaving a meal.
It is in response to Jesus’ instructions “do this in remembrance of me” that we gather weekly around a table in microchurch and in the Sunday gathering.
1. BREAKING BREAD
Luke’s account of the earliest followers of Jesus states that they “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42 ESV). To “break bread” is to share by tearing off pieces of one loaf with those around the table.
It reminds us that Jesus is the bread of life broken for the sake of the world – we now all find nourishment by his life.
2. COMMUNION (OR THE HOLY COMMUNION)
Communion is derived from the Greek word koinonia or fellowship. This name speaks of the shared life or the “together-ness” of Jesus’ Church. Not only do we share in the life of Christ, but we are also sharing in life with one another. Many traditions add the term “holy” to make it “Holy Communion” to recognize the importance of this particular community amongst all others.
3.THE LORD’S SUPPER
The name “Lord’s Supper” draws our imagination to that storied moment of our Lord around the table with His apostles. Each time we partake in this meal, we are reminded of our shared confession, that Jesus is Lord. A strange phrase for us, but one that reminds us that our allegiance belongs to Christ, and Christ alone.
4. THE EUCHARIST
The fourth name is the “thank-you-meal”. Jesus demonstrated a regular pattern of giving thanks to God the Father for what he was doing through Jesus. In ancient Greek, “thank you” is eucharistic. Thus, the meal Jesus gave us became the “The Eucharist” and now is the most common name for the meal.
Partaking in the Eucharist is a reminder that the Creator is worthy of our gratitude and praise.
5. THE MASS
The fifth name came about as the meal was celebrated in Latin. At the conclusion of the meal, the person hosting would declare, "Ite – missa est” or “go– you are sent out!” It served as a powerful reminder that as we engage with the Spirit of God in the meal we are then sent back into the world as His witnesses.
Thus, the Mass is a powerful reminder that sharing a meal with God propels us to love and serve our neighbor.
Whatever you call it, this meal is at the core of the Kingdom of Jesus and at the center of the early church’s worship. For the first followers of the risen Jesus, the highlight of their gathering was not a song or a sermon, it was a meal.
